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Windows XP will not accept CD-key

I

ikaika1

Senior member
My windows XP professional wont take my CD key for some reason. Its the one that came with my CD, and every time I enter it, I get an invalid CD key error. Ill also admit to trying to install using some of the corporate CD keys leaked into the internet. Everything yields the same error. Windows XP home was previously installed on the computer, but I formatted it before attempting to install professional. Can anyone provide any insight?
 
"...My windows XP professional wont take my CD key for some reason. Its the one that came with my CD, and every time I enter it, I get an invalid CD key error..."

So, is the key you are trying to use legal or not?

If so, the natural solution is simply to call Microsoft.

If not, you'll find no assistance here on Anandtech.
 
Same thing happened to me once. I was installing a brand-new full retail version of XP pro on someone's box and it just wouldn't take the CD-key. Called MS, answered a few questions and they gave me a key that worked. All was well.
 
I had this problem when I also tried to make my "leaked" corporate copy legal. To get legal, I bought an OEM edition from directron, and the CD Key upgrade process wouldn't take my key. My solution was to boot the CD, select install, and then Repair. Repair asked me for my Key, which worked, and then it installed a bunch of files, and my system was back as before, but with my new Key, I hope 😀
 
I had the same problem with a copy of win98 SE that I bought along with my pc last summer. Of course it didn't have wpa, so I ended up just using the key from a second (legal) copy of it I had bought earlier. Soon afterward I bought XP so it didn't really matter anyway. Another odd, but similar story was once when I did a clean format and install of 98se (the older copy), it wouldn't take the cdkey even after I knew it worked. I finally did a format c: /c and then it worked. Strange.
 
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